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Stay Young with Yoga

February 28, 2012 by

Yoga has become an increasingly popular practice over the past few years. With its claims of increasing strength and flexibility while calming the mind, yoga has gained a loyal following of all ages. But, did you know that yoga can actually help you reduce or even reverse the effects of aging? If you haven’t tried yoga before, you may want to start after reading about its profound benefits. (Be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen!)

  • Yoga can counter the effects of aging by moving joints through their full range of motion, which stretches, strengthens, and balances each part. This is important because muscles shorten and joints tighten with age, and yoga stretches the body to relieve stiff joints and lengthen muscles.
  • Yoga can help ease the pain associated with osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Recent studies indicate that yoga may be as effective as drug therapy in controlling hypertension.
  • Even after just a few months of a consistent yoga practice, you’ll begin to experience increased feelings of good health and well-being.
  • Yoga has been proven to be an effective complementary treatment for musculoskeletal disease and related disorders.
  • Calming yoga stretches reduce physical stress and tension while increasing overall relaxation.

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Tips For Preventing Falls

February 21, 2012 by

As we get older, falling becomes a hazard. Joints get creaky, medication affects our senses, and balance can be easily lost. We might simply have trouble seeing obstacles in our way. When bones are brittle, even gentle falls become dangerous.

Luckily, preventing falls is easy. It all comes down to good housekeeping. Take these tips:

Eliminate clutter.

– Remove furniture that you don’t use. All remaining furniture should be stable and without sharp corners.

– Position furniture where you can grip it as you walk through the house.

– Don’t have electrical cords trailing across the floor.

Install safety bars.

– Make sure all steps—even the smallest—have sturdy handrails that extend beyond the final step.

– Install grab bars in the bath/shower.

Tape.

– Install friction tape in the bathtub.

– Make sure rugs/carpets are secured to the floor.

Install stool risers and boosts.

– These devices make getting on/off the toilet, or in/out of bed, easier and safer.

Wear non-slip footwear.

– Make sure to wear non-slip shoes or slippers around the house. Don’t walk in in stockings or barefoot.

Have adequate lighting.

– Install bright bulbs.

– Consider using motion-sensitive lights that come on when a person enters a room.

– Use night lights in every room.

Avoid reaching.

– Keep important items on low shelves/cabinets.

– Use a reaching tool to grab faraway items. Never stand on chairs or ladders.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2012 by

Best wishes for happiness on Valentine's Day and every day.

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Protect Yourself From Telemarketing Fraud

February 14, 2012 by

Telemarketers want you to pick up the phone. That’s why they target 60-80% of their calls at seniors, who are more likely to be at home during the day and give their sales pitches a respectful hearing. Although you were always taught to be nice to salesmen, the National Crime Prevention Council recommends that you hang up on telemarketers—if you answer the phone at all.

Older people are prime targets for telemarketing fraud, which attempts to cheat you out of your valuables through deception. Seniors suffering from dementia or memory loss are prime targets for schemes like this, but we all need to watch out.

Some helpful hints:

*Sign up for the national Do Not Call Registry at (888) 382-1222 or www.donotcall.gov. This will help decrease calls from telemarketers.

*If a caller asks for personal information such as a credit card number or Social Security number, politely refuse and hang up.

*If a caller offers a free item and then wants you to pay for shipping or taxes, politely refuse and hang up.

*If a caller demands a decision on a limited-time offer, politely refuse and hang up.

*If you don't understand the offer, ask to receive information by mail. If the telemarketer refuses to do that, end the call.

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Over 50? Take a Look at These Vitamins

February 7, 2012 by

As we age, we eat less, cook less, and our metabolism slows. On average, seniors eat 1,200 calories a day. Meals are less likely to be balanced and drug regimens—such as corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, thyroid hormone, antibiotics, laxatives, or diuretics—may interfere with how some vitamins are absorbed by your body. Depending on your health and lifestyle, a multivitamin could be an essential addition to your daily routine.

Older people can easily become deficient in vitamins D, B6, and B12, and minerals like folic acid, iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. This is especially true if you lack exposure to sunlight or can’t eat certain foods. Lack of vitamin B12 can occasionally mimic more serious problems like confusion and memory loss, so if you’re experiencing these symptoms, make sure you’re checked for vitamin deficiency as well.

Some studies show that seniors’ immune systems may benefit from vitamin E in levels higher than the recommended daily dosage. But remember, your metabolism has slowed down; vitamin doses that are easily tolerated by younger people may make you sick. Ask your doctor to help you create a personalized vitamin plan. An extra pill or two first thing in the morning can make a huge difference in how you feel.

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